What is the Difference Between 110V & 240V?
As you will know, when searching for power tools on the market, you’ll be presented with an option to choose between 110V & 240V. But, what does it mean?
It can be really confusing for those who aren’t aware of the major difference and ultimately, end up buying the wrong one. So, in this article, we’re going to shed a little light on the fact. Let’s start with 110v. These power tools are typically used on sites that offer more safety in the event of someone cutting through a cable, as an example. That way, it will be significantly less likely for the user to get seriously injured. So, if you’re working on a site where health & safety is paramount (as it should be on every site, to be fair), then the 110v would be the best option. That said, whilst 110v are better suited for heavy-duty use, you will require a transformer in order to use it. We will touch on that in a moment. 240v, on the other hand, is better suited for a home environment. So, if you’re not a tradesman, though like to carry out a lot of DIY work on your home, then 240v will work with your standard domestic 3-pin plug sockets. Perfect.
Where Transformers come into play with 110v and 240v tools
A Transformer, when plugged into a 240v power supply, will drop the voltage so that it’s around 110v, which is far safer. That way, you won’t need to use expensive circuit breakers which would be pointless having in your home. Transformers are made up of 2 lines which are 55x (making up the 110v total). The lines are separate so that if in the event one of them gets damaged, it will simply halve the voltage, thus increasing the overall user’s safety. Naturally, you must be extra careful when using a transformer, just as you would any other electrical appliance. It is very rare that you’ll come across a site that allows 240v tools to be used, as they’re simply too dangerous in a working construction environment. This ultimately relates back to health and safety, so you should always double-check with the person in charge before carrying out any jobs with a tool that has a higher voltage than 110v. The transformers are there for versatility. So, in the event that you need a certain power tool for domestic work, such as a DIY job on your home but you can’t find the tool that you need in 240v; you’ll simply be able to use the transformer to convert the voltage to 240 and then you’re away.
Conclusion
So, both tools are 110v and 240v are exactly the same in the way that they work and the power that they supply, it’s just a case of health and safety. Always be mindful!
